ISBN: 0-689-81072-5
Author: Robert D. San Souci
Website: http://www.rsansouci.com/
Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
Website: http://www.artatlargeinc.com/
Media Used (discussed in detail): The book's text is set in Clearface Roman and the illustrations were originally done in pastels. Pastels are one of my favorite mediums as they offer a chalky yet vibrant look to the illustrations. The pastels also allow for a wonderful blending of colors which helps to give the illustrations a unique textured look. The book's illustrations are mostly set up in a portrait like fashion - depicting certain action scenes that are described in the text in a way that highlights the emotions and feelings of the story. My two favorite scenes are the opening picture in which Margaret is leading her cows, due to the bright use of color, and the scene where the the old woman becomes young again using the water of healing because of how life like the glow of the the healing water is.
Summary: Retells the Irish folktale of Brave Margaret, a young woman who falls in love with a ship's captain, battles a sea serpent, and defeats a giant troll.
Personal Reaction: The illustrations of this book really help to highlight the different important events that happen throughout the story. The story flows well making it a good candidate for reading aloud to a group despite the length. The depiction of a strong female heroine in a traditional folktale is always a welcomed reading addition. Margaret's only desire is to travel and be with her love, Simon, in all other things she is brave and selfless. I also like how the author ended the tale. Rather then a traditional "happily ever after" or "the end" phrase, I particularly like San Souci's ending sentence: "Their wedding lasted nine nights and nine days, but their happiness lasted a lifetime."
Use of Rhythm: "Fee, fum, fo, fay, What foolish mortal comes this way? Churl or champion, king's son or knave, One blow of my club puts you in your grave!"
Use of Rhyme: (masculine rhyme - a rhyme in which the stress is on the final syllable of the words)
"Fee, fum, fo, fay,
What foolish mortal comes this way?
Churl or champion, king's son or knave,
One blow of my club puts you in your grave!"
Use of Personification: "The stones of the black castle danced when the giant slammed the ground with his club."
Use of Alliteration: "But Margaret, spurred on by the sight of Simon's lifeless body, charged forward."
Use of Onomatopoeia: “The monster hissed but hesitated.”
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